Dry Fly Nomads Across the American West | John & Karen Kreft
Episode 165 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 26, 2026.
Our destination is the American West with John and Karen Kreft, of Riverkeeper Flies, who share their hatch-driven philosophy and life from a camper van.
Imagine a summer where the camper van becomes home, and the hatch chart dictates where you sleep?
Our destination is the American West with John and Karen Kreft, of Riverkeeper Flies, who share their hatch-driven philosophy, their top-producing dry fly patterns, and what they’ve learned from life on the road — designing flies and chasing trout throughout the American West from the Green River to the Madison, the Upper Columbia, and beyond.
John has been fishing and tying flies for more than 55 years and is the founder of RiverKeeper Flies, a weekly blog for fly tyers, featuring of fishing insights, over 300 fly patterns, and more than 80 fly fishing and tying videos.
His wife Karen, an accomplished fly angler of over 35 years and together, each summer, they pack up their camper for a month-long tour of top western trout streams and blog about it along the way.
With host Steve Haigh.
Kelly Creek and Grey's River:
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Contact John and Karen Kreft: https://www.johnkreft.com/ | riverkeeperflies@gmail.com Instagram @riverkeeperflies
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Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Dec 18, 2025
Chapters
- Fishing is often about timing and patience.
- Women are increasingly participating in fishing, but there's still a need for more representation.
- Different rivers offer unique challenges and experiences.
- River etiquette is crucial for a pleasant fishing experience.
- Taking breaks during fishing can enhance focus and effectiveness.
- Fly tying requires practice and attention to detail for consistency.
- Teaching fly tying can be enhanced with visual aids and step-by-step guidance.
- Fishing together strengthens relationships and creates lasting memories.
- Enjoying the scenery and nature is as important as catching fish.
- Sharing meals and experiences adds to the joy of fishing.
